hypnotise

Everyday

1. To hypnotise someone means to put them into a deep, calm, dreamy state in which they pay close attention and may follow suggestions. tree →
2. To be hypnotised by something means to be so fascinated by it that you cannot look away: «hypnotised by the flames». tree →

In the lessons

In stories, cartoons and stage shows a hypnotist swings a watch and says «you are getting sleepy»; this is mostly showbusiness. Real hypnosis (hypnotherapy) is used by some therapists to help people relax or stop habits; people under hypnosis are not asleep and cannot be made to do things against their will. In nature, a snake is said to hypnotise its prey, though really the prey freezes with fear. Phrases: «hypnotised by», «under hypnosis», «stage hypnotist».

Examples

• The magician claimed he could hypnotise anyone in the audience. tree →
• The cat was hypnotised by the fish swimming in the tank. tree →
• We sat hypnotised by the fireworks. tree →
• In the cartoon, the snake hypnotised the boy with its swirly eyes. tree →
• Some people see a hypnotist to help them stop smoking. tree →
• The music was so beautiful it almost hypnotised me. tree →

Note

UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: «hypnotise» (or «hypnotize»); USA and Canada: «hypnotize». Regular verb. Myth: a hypnotised person cannot be forced to do anything they really don't want, and hypnosis is not magic.